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With fire retardant covering some of the hillside vegetation, a firefighter looks for hot spots on a ridge along Gateway Drive in Lake Elsinore on Saturday morning, August 11, 2018, after the Holy fire burned through the area forcing thousands in neighborhood to be evacuated.
(Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

With fire retardant dropped by air tankers covering much of the area, a firefighter looks for hot spots behind homes along Gateway Drive in Lake Elsinore on Saturday morning, August 11, 2018, after the Holy fire burned through the area forcing thousands in neighborhood to be evacuated.
(Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

After being evacuated from the Sycamore Creek neighborhood in Corona on Wednesday, August 8th due to the Holy fire, from left, Maddie Joyce, Ben Dowsett, Emma Joyce and Ceri Dowsett were allowed to return to get clothing as they pull their luggage along Campbell Ranch Road in Corona on Saturday, August 11, 2018.
(Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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A sign lets visitors know that the Glen Ivy Hot Springs in Corona is closed on Saturday, August 11, 2018, as the Holy fire burns in the mountains in the Cleveland National Forest nearby.
(Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

With fire retardant covering some of the hillside vegetation, a firefighter looks for hot spots on a ridge along Gateway Drive in Lake Elsinore on Saturday morning, August 11, 2018, after the Holy fire burned through the area forcing thousands in neighborhood to be evacuated.
(Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

The Holy fire burns in the mountains in the Cleveland National Forest near Glen Ivy Hot Springs in Corona on Saturday, August 11, 2018.
(Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

People stop along Temescal Canyon Road and watch as air tankers drop fire retardant along a ridge in the mountains of the Cleveland National Forest above Glen Ivy Golf Club in Corona on Saturday, August 11, 2018, just ahead of the Holy fire which has burned for six days.
(Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

An air tanker makes a drop of fire retardant along a ridge in the mountains of the Cleveland National Forest above Glen Ivy Golf Club in Corona on Saturday, August 11, 2018, just ahead of the Holy fire which has burned for six days.
(Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

A firefighter finds a hot spot on a ridge along Gateway Drive in Lake Elsinore on Saturday morning, August 11, 2018, after the Holy fire burned through the area forcing thousands in neighborhood to be evacuated.
(Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

After returning to their neighborhood following an evacuation, Stephen McDonald, left, and his wife, Jenesa, center, along with neighbors James Gassor, second from left, and Glen Huggins, right, look for hot spots behind the McDonald home on Gateway Drive in Lake Elsinore on Saturday morning, August 11, 2018, after the Holy fire burned through the area forcing thousands in neighborhood to be evacuated.
(Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Fire retardant dropped by air tankers covers a hummingbird feeder at the home of Stephen and Jenesa McDonald on Gateway Drive in Lake Elsinore on Saturday morning, August 11, 2018, after the Holy fire burned through the area forcing thousands in neighborhood to be evacuated. No homes were lost in the neighborhood.
(Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Fire hoses lay in front of the home of Stephen and Jenesa McDonald on Gateway Drive in Lake Elsinore on Saturday morning, August 11, 2018, after the neighborhood was evacuated on Wednesday, August 8th because of the Holy fire burning in the hills of Cleveland National Forest behind the homes.
(Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Fire retardant dropped by air tankers covers the home of Stephen and Jenesa McDonald on Gateway Drive in Lake Elsinore on Saturday morning, August 11, 2018, after the Holy fire burned through the area forcing thousands in neighborhood to be evacuated.
(Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

With fire retardant covering some of the hillside vegetation, a firefighter looks for hot spots on a ridge along Gateway Drive in Lake Elsinore on Saturday morning, August 11, 2018, after the Holy fire burned through the area forcing thousands in neighborhood to be evacuated.
(Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

A firefighter looks for hot spots behind homes along Gateway Drive in Lake Elsinore on Saturday morning, August 11, 2018, after the Holy fire burned through the area forcing thousands in neighborhood to be evacuated.
(Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

A firefighter looks for hot spots on a ridge along Gateway Drive in Lake Elsinore on Saturday morning, August 11, 2018, after the Holy fire burned through the area forcing thousands in neighborhood to be evacuated.
(Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

The California Highway Patrol closes Indian Truck Trail at Campbell Ranch Road in Corona on Saturday morning, August 11, 2018, due to evacuations of homes in the area during day 6 of the Holy fire in Lake Elsinore and Corona.
(Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

An air tanker makes a drop of fire retardant along a ridge in the mountains of the Cleveland National Forest above Glen Ivy Golf Club in Corona on Saturday, August 11, 2018, just ahead of the Holy fire which has burned for six days.
(Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Some of the fire crews fighting the Holy fire pitch tents on a soccer field at Lakeside High School in Lake Elsinore on Saturday, August 11, 2018. The fire burned through the area forcing thousands in neighborhoods to be evacuated.
(Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

A sign on a soccer field fence at Lakeside High School in Lake Elsinore on Saturday, August 11, 2018, informs visitors of sleeping fire crews in tents that have been fighting the Holy fire which burned through the area forcing thousands in neighborhoods to be evacuated.
(Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

One of the fire crews fighting the Holy fire pitched a tent on in the goal on a soccer field at Lakeside High School in Lake Elsinore on Saturday, August 11, 2018. The fire burned through the area forcing thousands in neighborhoods to be evacuated.
(Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Cars stop in the middle of the road with more parked along side, as the California Highway Patrol closes Indian Truck Trail at Campbell Ranch Road in Corona on Saturday morning, August 11, 2018, due to evacuations of homes in the area during day 6 of the Holy fire in Lake Elsinore and Corona.
(Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

A firefighting helicopter picks up water at Corona Lake on Saturday morning, August 11, 2018, during day 6 of the Holy fire in Lake Elsinore and Corona.
(Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

An air tanker makes a drop of fire retardant along a ridge in the mountains of the Cleveland National Forest above Glen Ivy Golf Club in Corona on Saturday, August 11, 2018, just ahead of the Holy fire which has burned for six days.
(Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

In a sign that firefighters have a firmer handle on the Holy fire near Lake Elsinore, some residents who were forced to flee the surging flames were allowed to return home Saturday, Aug. 11.

Evacuations for the neighborhoods of Horsethief Canyon, McVickers and Rice Canyon were lifted early in the day, said Thanh Nguyen, a spokesman for the incident commanders. By Saturday evening, the evacuation order was also lifted for the Machado neighborhood, and voluntary evacuations were no longer in place for the Shoreline community.

It was unclear how many people returned home Saturday, out of the estimated nearly 21,500 people who evacuated over the past week.

Some like James Gassor, a McVicker resident, who returned to their neighborhoods found their homes doused in pink from the flame retardant dropped from air tankers.

It was a reminder of how close the fire had come, but also meant that there’s no fuel to burn on the mountains behind them for probably another decade.

“It’s a little silver lining,” Gassor said.

Pet owners from the lifted evacuation areas of McVickers, Rice and Horsethief Canyons, may call RivCo Department of Animal Services at 951-358-7387 to arrange to pick up their animals from Temescal Canyon High School. #HolyFire@helpinRIVcoPETSpic.twitter.com/prEfcwhvGS

Some road closures remained in place Saturday, frustrating residents and motorists. The closures included Mountain Street at Avocado Way, De Palma Road at Horsethief Canyon Road and Temescal Canyon Road at Campbell Ranch Road.

The first day of school will be pushed back a week, from Monday to Aug. 20, because of the fire for students at 23 campuses in the Corona-Norco Unified School District, officials told a packed auditorium of dozens of people who attended a community meeting at Temescal Valley Elementary School Saturday evening.

Schools south of the 91 freeway and east of Border Avenue in Corona are most affected by the fire, the school district said.

Flames from the Holy Fire creep down a hillside above homes near Barnstable and Gisborne Streets in Lake Elsinore Friday, August 10, 2018. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

Firefighters battle to keep flames away from homes at the top of Dreycott Way during the Holy Fire in Lake Elsinore Friday, August 10, 2018. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

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Firefighters stand on a ridge as they watch a fixed wing aircraft make a water drop near homes during the Holy Fire in Lake Elsinore Friday, August 10, 2018. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

Firefighters battle to keep flames away from homes at the top of Dreycott Way during the Holy Fire in Lake Elsinore Friday, August 10, 2018. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

Firefighters battle to keep flames away from homes at the top of Dreycott Way during the Holy Fire in Lake Elsinore Friday, August 10, 2018. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

Firefighters stand on a ridge as they watch a fixed wing aircraft make a water drop near homes during the Holy Fire in Lake Elsinore Friday, August 10, 2018. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

A firefighter slips as he pulls hose as he battles to keep flames away from homes at the top of Dreycott Way during the Holy Fire in Lake Elsinore Friday, August 10, 2018. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

A firefighter pulls hose into heavy smoke as he battles to keep flames away from homes at the top of Dreycott Way during the Holy Fire in Lake Elsinore Friday, August 10, 2018. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

Firefighters battle to keep flames away from homes at the top of Dreycott Way during the Holy Fire in Lake Elsinore Friday, August 10, 2018. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

Firefighters battle to keep flames away from homes at the top of Dreycott Way during the Holy Fire in Lake Elsinore Friday, August 10, 2018. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

Firefighters battle flames from approaching homes at the top of Westlong Street in Lake Elsinore Friday, August 10, 2018. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

Firefighters battle flames from approaching homes at the top of Westlong Street in Lake Elsinore Friday, August 10, 2018. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

A jet makes a drop on flames from above homes at the top of Westlong Street in Lake Elsinore Friday, August 10, 2018. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

Firefighters battle flames from approaching homes at the top of Westlong Street in Lake Elsinore Friday, August 10, 2018. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

Firefighters battle flames from approaching homes at the top of Westlong Street in Lake Elsinore Friday, August 10, 2018. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

A Los Angeles County firefighter yells for more water pressure as he keep flames from approaching homes at the top of Westlong Street in Lake Elsinore Friday, August 10, 2018. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

Firefighters battle flames from approaching homes at the top of Westlong Street in Lake Elsinore Friday, August 10, 2018. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

Firefighters battle flames from approaching homes at the top of Westlong Street in Lake Elsinore Friday, August 10, 2018. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

Firefighters battle flames from approaching homes at the top of Westlong Street in Lake Elsinore Friday, August 10, 2018. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

Flames make their way up a hillside along North Main Divide Road off Highway 74 as firefighters battle the Holy Fire for the fifth day in the Cleveland National Forest near Lake Elsinore on Friday, August 10, 2018. (Photo by Jennifer Cappuccio Maher, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

A burned out car is seen off of North Main Divide Road off Highway 74 as firefighters battle the Holy Fire for the fifth day in the Cleveland National Forest near Lake Elsinore on Friday, August 10, 2018. (Photo by Jennifer Cappuccio Maher, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

Phos-chek is dropped as flames make their way up a hillside along North Main Divide Road off Highway 74 as firefighters battle the Holy Fire for the fifth day in the Cleveland National Forest near Lake Elsinore on Friday, August 10, 2018. (Photo by Jennifer Cappuccio Maher, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

Firefighters attack a flare up along Highway 74 as they battle the Holy Fire for the fifth day in the Cleveland National Forest near Lake Elsinore on Friday, August 10, 2018. (Photo by Jennifer Cappuccio Maher, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

Firefighters attack a flare up along Highway 74 as they battle the Holy Fire for the fifth day in the Cleveland National Forest near Lake Elsinore on Friday, August 10, 2018. (Photo by Jennifer Cappuccio Maher, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

Firefighters attack a flare up along Highway 74 as they battle the Holy Fire for the fifth day in the Cleveland National Forest near Lake Elsinore on Friday, August 10, 2018. (Photo by Jennifer Cappuccio Maher, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

A burned out container is seen off of North Main Divide Road off Highway 74 as firefighters battle the Holy Fire for the fifth day in the Cleveland National Forest near Lake Elsinore on Friday, August 10, 2018. (Photo by Jennifer Cappuccio Maher, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

A burned out trailer is seen off of North Main Divide Road off Highway 74 as firefighters battle the Holy Fire for the fifth day in the Cleveland National Forest near Lake Elsinore on Friday, August 10, 2018. (Photo by Jennifer Cappuccio Maher, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

Firefighters battle the Holy Fire for the fifth day in the Cleveland National Forest near Lake Elsinore on Friday, August 10, 2018. (Photo by Jennifer Cappuccio Maher, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

Firefighters battle the Holy Fire for the fifth day in the Cleveland National Forest near Lake Elsinore on Friday, August 10, 2018. (Photo by Jennifer Cappuccio Maher, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

Firefighters attack a flare up along Highway 74 as they battle the Holy Fire for the fifth day in the Cleveland National Forest near Lake Elsinore on Friday, August 10, 2018. (Photo by Jennifer Cappuccio Maher, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

Firefighters attack a flare up along Highway 74 as they battle the Holy Fire for the fifth day in the Cleveland National Forest near Lake Elsinore on Friday, August 10, 2018. (Photo by Jennifer Cappuccio Maher, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

Firefighters attack a flare up along Highway 74 as they battle the Holy Fire for the fifth day in the Cleveland National Forest near Lake Elsinore on Friday, August 10, 2018. (Photo by Jennifer Cappuccio Maher, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

Firefighters attack a flare up along Highway 74 as they battle the Holy Fire for the fifth day in the Cleveland National Forest near Lake Elsinore on Friday, August 10, 2018. (Photo by Jennifer Cappuccio Maher, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

Flames make their way up a hillside along North Main Divide Road off Highway 74 as firefighters battle the Holy Fire for the fifth day in the Cleveland National Forest near Lake Elsinore on Friday, August 10, 2018. (Photo by Jennifer Cappuccio Maher, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

Phos-chek is dropped as flames make their way up a hillside along North Main Divide Road off Highway 74 as firefighters battle the Holy Fire for the fifth day in the Cleveland National Forest near Lake Elsinore on Friday, August 10, 2018. (Photo by Jennifer Cappuccio Maher, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

Firefighters battle the Holy Fire for the fifth day in the Cleveland National Forest near Lake Elsinore on Friday, August 10, 2018. (Photo by Jennifer Cappuccio Maher, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

Firefighters attack a flare up along Highway 74 as they battle the Holy Fire for the fifth day in the Cleveland National Forest near Lake Elsinore on Friday, August 10, 2018. (Photo by Jennifer Cappuccio Maher, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

Firefighters attack a flare up along Highway 74 as they battle the Holy Fire for the fifth day in the Cleveland National Forest near Lake Elsinore on Friday, August 10, 2018. (Photo by Jennifer Cappuccio Maher, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

Firefighters attack a flare up along Highway 74 as they battle the Holy Fire for the fifth day in the Cleveland National Forest near Lake Elsinore on Friday, August 10, 2018. (Photo by Jennifer Cappuccio Maher, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

Firefighters attack a flare up along Highway 74 as they battle the Holy Fire for the fifth day in the Cleveland National Forest near Lake Elsinore on Friday, August 10, 2018. (Photo by Jennifer Cappuccio Maher, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

A tanker drops fire retardant on the Holy Fire in Trilogy in Temescal Valley on Thursday evening, August 9, 2018. (Photo by Paul A Walbrun)

Smoke from the Holy fire is creating unhealthy air throughout parts of Southern California. (Photo by Shannon Pinck)

The Holy Fire and the plume of smoke as viewed from Woodbridge in Irvine on Thursday evening, August 9, 2018. (Photo by Nicole Belz)

The Holy Fire and the plume of smoke as viewed from Foothill Ranch looking toward Cleveland National Forest on Thursday evening, August 9, 2018. (Photo by Frank Armstrong)

Residents along Crystal Ridge Court in Lake Elsinore load a truck as they evacuate as the Holy fire burns near their home on Wednesday afternoon, August 8, 2018. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Bobby Cruz washes fire retardant off his car after a plane made a drop behind his home on Crystal Ridge Court in Lake Elsinore as the Holy fire burned near homes Wednesday afternoon, Aug. 8. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

A plane drops fire retardant in the Cleveland National Forest behind homes along Crystal Ridge Court in Lake Elsinore as the Holy fire burned near homes on Wednesday afternoon, Aug. 8. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

A firefighter stops to talk with residents on Spectra Drive in Lake Elsinore shortly before the neighborhood was evacuated as the Holy fire burned near homes on Wednesday afternoon, August 8, 2018. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Residents on Spectra Drive in Lake Elsinore pack their belongings as they are evacuated as the Holy fire burned near homes on Wednesday afternoon, August 8, 2018. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

A man sits on his roof and watches the approaching fire along McVicker Canyon Park Road in Lake Elsinore as the Holy fire burned near homes Wednesday afternoon, Aug. 8. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

OCFA Battalion Chief Shane Sherwood speaks during a press conference on the progress of the Holy fire in Cleveland National Forest at the Orange County Fire Authority headquarters in Irvine on Wednesday, August 8, 2018. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Flames form the Holy fire leap behind Modjeska Peak with Santiago Peak to the right on Thursday, Aug. 9. Some viewers thought it looked like a volcano eruption! (Photo by Mark Girardeau)

Lake Elsinore Mayor Natasha Johnson, left, looks at the Holy fire as it burns near homes in Lake Elsinore as Nicole Dailey, assistant to the mayor, shoots video of the scene on Wednesday afternoon, August 8, 2018. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

The Holy fire burns near homes in Horsethief Canyon near Corona on Wednesday, Aug. 8. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Lake Elsinore Mayor Natasha Johnson, left, looks at a video with Nicole Dailey, assistant to the mayor, as the Holy fire burns near homes behind them in Lake Elsinore on Wednesday afternoon, August 8, 2018. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Residents look at the Holy Jim Fire from the shore of Lake Elsinore on Wednesday, August 8, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Having burned over 4000 acres in it’s third day, the Holy fire burns near homes in Lake Elsinore on Wednesday, August 8, 2018. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

A plane drops fire retardant in the Cleveland National Forest behind homes along Crystal Ridge Court in Lake Elsinore as the Holy fire burned near homes on Wednesday afternoon, August 8, 2018. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

The mid-afternoon sun is nearly blocked out along McVicker Canyon Park Road in Lake Elsinore as the Holy fire burns near homes on Wednesday afternoon, August 8, 2018. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Home owner Russ Price is surrounded by smoke, ash, and smoldering homes in Holy Jim Canyon on Tuesday, Aug 7, 2018. He doesn’t know how his structure survived. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

The Holy fire burns in the Cleveland National Forest behind homes along Crystal Ridge Court in Lake Elsinore on Wednesday afternoon, August 8, 2018. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

A plane drops fire retardant in the Cleveland National Forest behind homes along Crystal Ridge Court in Lake Elsinore as the Holy fire burned near homes on Wednesday afternoon, August 8, 2018. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Sheriff’s deputies talk to Forrest Gordon Clark, a Holy Jim Canyon resident whose home was the only surviving structure in the area where he lives, faces arson charges. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

U.S. Forest Service Incident Commander Chris Fogle speaks during a press conference on the progress of the Holy Fire in Cleveland National Forest at the Orange County Fire Authority headquarters in Irvine on Wednesday, August 8, 2018. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)

With fire retardant dropped by air tankers covering much of the area, a firefighter looks for hot spots behind homes along Gateway Drive in Lake Elsinore on Saturday morning, August 11, 2018, after the Holy fire burned through the area forcing thousands in neighborhood to be evacuated.
(Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

A pedestrian looks at the Holy Jim Fire as it burns in the mountains behind Lake Mission Viejo in Mission Viejo on Wednesday, August 8, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Fire engines stand by as the Holy fire burns near homes in Horsethief Canyon near Corona on Wednesday, August 8, 2018. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Having burned over 4000 acres in it’s third day, the Holy fire burns near homes in Lake Elsinore on Wednesday, August 8, 2018. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Flames from the Holy fire that started in Orange County burn the Cleveland National Forest above Lake Elsinore in Riverside County on Wednesday morning, Aug. 8, 2018. (Screen grab courtesy of ABC 7 television)

Holy Jim volunteer firefighter Luke Senger stands next to a home destroyed by fire on Monday, Aug 6, 2018. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

People watch firefighting efforts on the Holy Fire in Corona on Tuesday, August 7, 2018. (Photo courtesy Chris Rusanowsky)

Holy Jim volunteer firefighter Luke Senger shows a map to John Colclough, of homes that were destroyed in Holy Jim Canyon on Monday, Aug 6, 2018. Colclough has lived in the canyon since the early 70s. “We lost a lot today, man. This is a huge, huge hit,” he said. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

A 747 Global Super Tanker 944 makes a retardant drop along a ridge during the Holy fire burning in the Cleveland National Forest near Corona, Calif. on Tuesday, August 7, 2018. Firefighters are working in rugged terrain amid scorching temperatures that have prompted warnings about excessive heat and extreme fire danger for much of the region. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

A Sheriff deputy walks up the road to a home that was spared Monday’s fire in Holy Jim Canyon. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

People watch firefighting efforts on the Holy Fire in Corona on Tuesday, August 7, 2018. (Photo courtesy Chris Rusanowsky)

A fire crew from San Bernardino arrives back in to Holy Jim Canyon on Tuesday, Aug 7, 2018 after the winds shift. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

A firefighting helicopter kicks up dust from the parched mountain in Holy Jim Canyon on Tuesday, Aug 7, 2018. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Home owner Russ Price is surrounded by smoke, ash, and smoldering homes in Holy Jim Canyon on Tuesday, Aug 7, 2018. He doesn’t know how his structure survived. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

The scene turns monochromatic as fire rages in this Lake Elsinore, Calif. neighborhood along McVicker Canyon Park Dr. near Cascade Circle. The water tower in background turns golden Thursday, August 9, 2018. (Photo by Cindy Yamanaka, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Vincent Rivera of Riverside has watered down his brother’s Lake Elsinore, Calif. home for the last two days. Photographed on Thursday, August 9, 2018. (Photo by Cindy Yamanaka, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Kristen Diaz of Lake Elsinore, Calif,. right, refuses to leave her home saying she and her husband have worked too hard to just leave and adds that her children are safe on Thursday, August 9, 2018. (Photo by Cindy Yamanaka, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Only one person remains on Cascade Cir. at McVicker Canyon Park Dr. in Lake Elsinore. Former firefighter, Josh Kiefer, has his trailer packed to the brim and is ready to roll out if needed on Thursday, August 9, 2018. Spot fires flare up and die. (Photo by Cindy Yamanaka, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Visibility is low as the Holy fire continues to spread in Lake Elsinore, Calif. on Thursday, August 9, 2018. (Photo by Cindy Yamanaka, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Firefighters prepare to make a fire break in Lake Elsinore, Calif. above a well-manicured neighborhood on Thursday, August 9, 2018. (Photo by Cindy Yamanaka, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Firefighting efforts, helped by higher humidity and cooler temperatures, showed continued progress Saturday. The Cleveland National Forest announced early in the day that the containment of the fire, which began Monday, had almost tripled from 10 percent Friday to 29 percent. By Saturday evening the containment percentage had increased to 36 percent. The acreage had increased overnight from 19,107 to 21,473 acres in the morning; and to 22,158 acres by Saturday night.

Containment is the percentage of the fire’s perimeter that firefighters have determined the blaze will no long spread beyond.

In addition to improved weather conditions, the fire now also has less fuel to burn, which is helping the firefighting effort, fire officials said.

Firefighters planned to focus overnight and into Sunday on the Coldwater Creek area near the Trilogy community where fire activity has increased. Other priority areas include the community of El Cariso and Bell Canyon

The wildfire has taken a toll on local businesses.

The Tom’s Farms complex in Temescal Valley has been closed for three days because of heavy smoke and ash. But Chef Anselmo Soriano said it reopened Saturday morning with conditions improving.

Helicopters could be seen Saturday filling up at Corona Lake to make drops in the hills above Glen Ivy Hot Springs. A sign outside the resort read, “Due to the local fire and air quality, Glen Ivy is CLOSED for the day. We thank you for understanding. Deliveries: Please reschedule.”

The resort’s website said it will be closed into Monday due to the air quality, and is aiming to re-open Tuesday.

Smoke and ash in the air are expected to continue to affect parts of Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties, with the air quality potentially reaching “unhealthy” levels or worse in places directly affected by the smoke, air quality officials said on Saturday.

Downslope winds were expected to bring smoke and ash into the valleys at the edges of the fire, during the night and into the early morning, officials said.

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However, infrastructure damage in the Sycamore Creek area involving power lines and poles was preventing people who were evacuated from being allowed to return immediately. Authorities said they were trying to make sure it is safe before doing so, and would be monitoring conditions hourly to see if they can let people back by Sunday night, although they warned things could change.

CHP says they’re closing Indian Truck Trail exits from the 15 and clearing out cars. Directing folks to Lake Street. Hearing there’s some serious infrastructure damage from #HolyFire including downed power lines in the area behind Sycamore Creek.

The Glen Eden area also sustained some damage to electrical equipment, officials said.

And some 3,000 structures were still considered “moderately” threatened. That assessment, which is less dire than “imminently” threatened, is made based on the proximity of the flames to the structures, the type of brush between them and whether there are any barriers in the way.

The 1,511 firefighters on the blaze include those on 141 engines, 18 helicopters, 12 airplanes, 23 bulldozers, 12 water tenders and 34 hand crews.

Friday night, containment lines were strengthened on the northwest side of the fire in the Coldwater Canyon area, north of the North Main Divide Road. Firefighters worked to strengthen lines east and southeast of the fire. A bulldozer line was constructed around El Cariso Village to keep fire from entering the community.

Brian Rokos writes about public safety issues such as policing, criminal justice, scams, how law affects public safety, firefighting tactics and wildland fire danger. He has also covered the cities of San Bernardino, Corona, Norco, Lake Elsinore, Perris, Canyon Lake and Hemet. Before that he supervised reporters and worked as a copy editor. For some reason, he enjoys movies where the Earth is threatened with extinction.

Brooke Edwards Staggs is a general assignment reporter with a focus on covering the politics, business, health and culture of cannabis. Journalism has led Staggs to a manhunt in Las Vegas, a zero gravity flight over Queens and a fishing village in Ghana. The Big Bear native is addicted to education. She earned her bachelors degree in English from California Baptist University, then got her master's in education as she taught high school English in the Inland Empire. After four years in the classroom, she left in 2006 to be a student again herself, earning a masters degree in journalism from New York University while interning and freelancing for a variety of publications. She sees journalism as another form of teaching, helping readers make informed decisions and better understand the world around them. Staggs spent five years as a staff writer then city editor at the Daily Press in Victorville. She won several awards for her work there, including best breaking news story from the California Newspaper Publishers Association for her tale of a teen who shot his father in a hunting accident. She joined the Orange County Register in January 2013, covering several south Orange County communities and the city of Tustin before taking on the marijuana beat in February 2016. On occasion, she also teaches community college and ghostwrites nonfiction books. Staggs loves dancing and new adventures. She hates water slides and injustice. If she doesn’t get right back to you, there’s a good chance she’s sitting with her DJ husband on a plane or train or boat destined for somewhere – anywhere – they’ve never been.

Sean Emery is a crime and public safety reporter for the Register who covers state and federal courts and criminal justice issues. He has worked for the Register since 2006, previously covering breaking news, the city of Irvine, the Orange County Great Park, and the city of San Juan Capistrano.

Elizabeth Chou has reported on Los Angeles City Hall government and politics since 2013, first with City News Service, and now the Los Angeles Daily News since the end of 2016. She grew up in the Los Angeles area, and formerly a San Gabriel Valley girl. She now resides in the other Valley, and is enjoying exploring her new San Fernando environs. She previously worked at Eastern Group Publications, covering Montebello, Monterey Park, City of Commerce, and Vernon.